PROCESS FOR PREPARING R-(-)-CARNITINE FROM S-(-)-CHLOROSUCCINIC ACID OR FROM A DERIVATIVE THEREOF

摘要

A process for the preparation of L-carnitine inner salt comprising the reduction, with a suitable reducing agent, of a compound of formula (I): where X1 and X2, which may be the same or different, are hydroxy, C1-C4 alkoxy, phenoxy, halogen, or X1 and X2, when taken together are an oxygen atom and the resulting compound is a derivative of succinic anhydride; Y is halogen, the mesyloxy or the tosyloxy group: and subsequent treatment with water, then with a base and then with trimethylamine.